New perspectives on level-5 information fusion: The impact of advances in information technology and user behavior

The Joint Directors of Laboratories (JDL) data fusion process model, originally introduced in 1991, defined four levels of information fusion functions to transform sensor data into usable information for analysts. In 2000, M. J. Hall, S.A. Hall and T. Tate [1] introduced the concept of a 5^th-level of fusion processing to recognize the need for providing an intelligent interaction with system users. Since that time, significant advances have been made in information technology, behavioral changes in users, and new concepts in the role of the human in information fusion systems. This paper presents a review of these changes and perspectives on the evolution of the JDL level-5 process.